#AskMoreOfHim: Men’s Silence at the Oscars

03/06/2018

On its face, the Academy Awards this weekend appeared to have a clear message: #TimesUp. Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra, and Salma Hayek, three women who have stood up against Harvey Weinstein, took the stage and proclaimed “a new path forward.” Frances McDormand got all the women nominees to stand and asked for inclusion riders, which stipulate gender and ethnic diversity as part of employment contracts. The Academy Awards even promoted diversity in a montage featuring the best and brightest in the industry, such as Ava DuVernay, Kumail Nanjiani, Dee Rees, and Greta Gerwig (none of whom have actually won an Oscar).

And yet, despite the amazing activism of #MeToo and #TimesUp, the Academy fell woefully short. Kobe Bryant and Gary Oldman were honored with Oscars even though both were accused in the past of violence against women. And, Ryan Seacrest, who publicly faced sexual harassment allegations just last week, still hosted E’s red carpet show. Despite all of this lip service, not enough has changed.

That’s why we launched #AskMoreOfHim last week, and why we’re organizing to make sure those who perpetrate abuse are held accountable. We’re calling on every good man to stand with us and support the courageous women – men, and gender non-conforming individuals – who have come forward to recount their horrific tales of sexual assault and abuse. Because it’s going to take more than an inspirational montage to create real change. Please help us move the needle this week by sharing the 10 Things Men Can Do to Prevent Gender Violence with your community. Together, we will support survivors, condemn sexism, and hold ourselves and others accountable for a more just and equitable world for all.